All Abuzz: Google unveils a beta version of its 'Nose' product

Tuesday

Apr 2, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 2, 2013 at 2:19 PM

Sorry, there is no such thing as a scratch-and-sniff Web search. Google yesterday unveiled a beta version of Google Nose, allowing users to seek everything from wet dogs to Egyptian tombs by smell. Alas, the idea represented an April Fools' Day prank.

Sorry, there is no such thing as a scratch-and-sniff Web search.

Google yesterday unveiled a beta version of Google Nose, allowing users to seek everything from wet dogs to Egyptian tombs by smell. Alas, the idea represented an April Fools’ Day prank.

In a video announcing the initiative, a developer explained that his dog inspired him. Another developer called it “photo auditory olfactory sensory convergence.”

Developers also noted how they had accumulated a database of smells from throughout the world.“ What does a ghost smell like?”Google knows.The new concept was touted with a cheesy line:“In the fast-paced world that we live in, we don’t always have the time to stop and smell the roses. Now, with Google Nose Beta, the roses are just a click away.”

A click on Google Nose took viewers to a fake Web page resembling a typical Google search page, complete with sections such as a “People also sniffed” area.

The elaborate trick wasn’t the only reason that people were talking yesterday about Google.Users of Facebook and Twitter were condemning the Google doodle from Sunday marking the 86th birthday of Cesar Chavez, contending that Easter should have been celebrated instead.

— Kelly Lecker?

klecker@dispatch.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.